Fitting all the Electronics and batteries in!

[rhythm]

How does everyone fit their electronics in. I have pretty small stuff and it would be a very tight squeeze (but it would fit) to get it all on the lower deck. So do you put the reciever on the upper deck or fit it under the front belt?

I have a Ko Propo 302f (micro) and a vega V3 (reasonable size).

Also what about battery configuration. It seems that I could join the two sets of three cells using a 2-3cm piece of silicone wire then slip one set of three cells under the upper deck each time so that the joining wire is just in front of the belt tensioner.

What are you all up to?

[mark Fuller]

hi

i have got a ko reciever the ones that come with the ko transmiters and i have a M.R.T speedo which is probably the same sort of size as your vaga i put the servo in the car, then i layed the reviever right up against the servo (or behind the servo) with the criystal slot closest to the servo and the plug bits furthest away, then with the speedo next to it i put my speedo up right you cant lay it flat so the face of the speedo is facing out of the car although i have taken all the electronics out of my car i will try and just place them back in and take a picture for you so you can see what i mean

hope this helps mark

[rhythm]

Yes thats what I thought but I hadn't considered putting the ESC on its side! duh! - good idea!

[MikeS]

You should get the layout from these and Marks comments.
Pic 1 (http://www.modeltech.co.uk/rclab/images/race760-11.jpg) in this one you can just see the top of the KO RX crystal holder alongside the belt, you can change crystal in seconds in this way.
Pic 2 (http://www.modeltech.co.uk/rclab/images/race760-6.jpg) you can see both the RX crystal and howe the ESC is turned on its side.
Pic 3 (http://www.modeltech.co.uk/rclab/images/race760-10.jpg) here you can clearly see the ESC mounted.

The servo is installed first, then the RX is stuck to the back of the servo using servo tape, and the ESC is taped both to the side of the RX and to the bottom deck. We have used this same layout for the last 4 years, in fact these pictures are off an early 7-6.......

Hope this helps you.

[rhythm]

Thanks for the replies. It will be fine. Was I right about the batteries? Short wire just in front of the belt tensioner so that you have to slip one set of three cells under the lower deck each time?

Thanks for all the help.

[MikeS]

Can't find a pic that clearly shows this with the cells installed and the link wire, but you are spot on. I build the packs with the 2 sets of three in a line there instead of a centre bar, I loop a wire to each centre cell such that the pack will still store as a six pack in line. The wire then "naturally" loops forwards when the pack is bent into the saddle configuration, and just lies between the cells and under the rear belt. If I can find a pic I will post it......

Cell installed (http://www.modeltech.co.uk/rclab/images/fe6e75d4.jpg)

Just attached a VERY quick paint diagram that should clear this up for you, sorry it rough!

[G.Man]

I do mine the same as Mike as you can also use them side by side in other cars (I have a Tamiya Evo IV as well)..

:D

[Mike Calver]

I don't have my car set up that way at all.

Finding it pretty difficult for all the wires to not get in the way of the front belt so instead i have the receiver nestled on the front top deck, pretty much just above where the servo is mounted.
Also as i have an mtronics cirrus it's quite difficult to have it taped on it's side. "as the speed controller case is basically a heatsink the only flat surface is on th bottom, so it needs to be taped that way otherwise it'll fall out. :eek:

I saw a similar electronics configuration in radio race car when they did a small review of the rclab 2 years ago, so as far as i'm aware it is fine although it doesn't look too great :o

[bjarup]

I don't have my car set up that way at all.

Finding it pretty difficult for all the wires to not get in the way of the front belt so instead ....

Hi
Got my electr. put in about just the same way as my receiver (Futaba r122je) is too big to put below the top deck if there is going to be room for my GM V8 ESC. So my receiver is standing upright on the opposite side of the servo on the top deck to compensate a bit for the heavy servo (Hitec 5645MG) on the right side. This works well, but i am going to switch to a smaller receiver trying to put it all below "the deck" (ahoy there). Oh, forgot to say that this goes for my 7.6 with less room below the top deck than the 7.7 and GT. :)

[rhythm]

Just thought that I'd say that my electronics have fitted in SNUG. Absolutely perfect! It'll look so much neater than most other cars! I think that it helps to have a pretty small receiver so that it fits under the top deck nicely.

I'll take some pictures :D
I used a bit of antenna tubing beneath the antenna holder that goes down and bellow the drive belt, this way the aerial wire cannot foul the belt at all.

Half-term now but my club stops for these weekends. I'm going to Bisley on Tuesday to get some real testing in!

Thanks for all the help!

This is kind of linked to electronics - what do people recomend in the way of an aftermarket servo saver? - although the kit one doesn't seem too soft at all.

[Mike Calver]

Yeah, pics please, if i get rid of my cirrus i'll have to get another small speedo for everything to fit underneath nicely.
Yet another lab coming through the mail shortly, i'll be opening my own shop soon :cool:

[bjarup]

Yeah, pics please, if i get rid of my cirrus i'll have to get another small speedo for everything to fit underneath nicely.
Yet another lab coming through the mail shortly, i'll be opening my own shop soon :cool:

I use the GM V8. Its small enough to fit anywhere and powerfull enough to suit anyone.

uhhhhh ohhhhhh, an upcoming competitor to Mike S. :eek: :D

Bjarup

[rhythm]

I don't think that a especially small speedo is important (in terms of fitting it in an RClab) just look at MikeS' pictures further up. That older MRT isn't small! What does help is a small reciever - more importantly one with the right dimesions. KoPropo ones seem to fit the bill. I am using a 302F which is minute and the belt goes between the crystal and plugs. I looked at my 301F and it also would be fine - practically the same width but longer.

My VegaV3 isn't tiny its just medium sized - I'd say. Though you could use a much bigger one. In my car there would be space to fit a Cirrus the right way up no problem.

Pictures later today - a friend will bring his camera round.

[Mike Calver]

That is true. I may just keep myne as it is, I'm going to need to get to the xtals in the receiver quite often and as it's hidden down on the lower deck it may be a bit fiddly.

The cirrus will fit, it's just that the side of the casing is "ribbed" so it won't sit perfectly flat, and i'm a bit weary if it comes loose when i'm using it.

And i wouldn't dream of competing Sir Mike ;) :D

[rhythm]

As promised here are the pictures. This is only provisional because the car obviously isn't quite finished yet. Still got the wiring to do.

Here is the first one. And this is why I disagree with you that xtal under the front deck is difficult. This is as easy to reach as anyhwere else in the car.
Electronics in the front link. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/rhythm-bmx/P1010080.jpg)

This is the best picture of the tube that extends bellow the top deck and bellow the belt. So the the belt goes across beneith the belt and then up the tube.
Tube below front deck link. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/rhythm-bmx/P1010081.jpg)

Here are three very clear ones of the batteries for anyone that would like a photo of how Mike said to do it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/rhythm-bmx/P1010085.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/rhythm-bmx/P1010087.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/rhythm-bmx/P1010084.jpg

Thats enough for now. I'll take some once its all finished.

There is a distinct and almost complete lack of pictures of RClabs on the web. Yes on the Rclab website and modeltech BUT there are no pictures of actual racing cars fully setup. I reckon we should have a photo link thread.

Rory

[Mike Calver]

Fair enough mate, My way still looks ok, not quite as neat as yours, but i have the plus battery wire running through where your receiver is, As i don't have a great sized rx myne WILL be a pain to install, on the lower deck.

[Mike Calver]

Fair enough mate, My way still looks ok, not quite as neat as yours, but i have the plus battery wire running through where your receiver is, so it's going to be kinda busy with the servo aswell As i don't have a great sized rx myne WILL be a pain to install on the lower deck

[Mike Calver]

Whoops don't know what happened there :rolleyes:

[bjarup]

There is a distinct and almost complete lack of pictures of RClabs on the web. Yes on the Rclab website and modeltech BUT there are no pictures of actual racing cars fully setup. I reckon we should have a photo link thread.
Rory

Nice pics. Maybe I can take some myself using my WebCam..

Have my batteries done the same way, but with a much shorter and somewhat thicker wire, and pointing somewhat towards the chassis.

Must find me a smaller receiver...

A picture / gallery thread sounds like a good idea. :)

Bjarup

[rhythm]

The longer piece of wire allows me to easily put the cells in an equalising tray.

I know what you mean, pointing towards the chassis would make sense but mine has never fouled the belt.
The wire is thick enough I think that it is just the photo.

Almost all so called "micro receivers" will be plenty small enough. MikeS has a very small looking one at a crazy price on his website. But only in 40MHz FM.

I'll take photos on Tuesday during "testing!" for the upcoming gallery thread.

Rory

[bjarup]

The longer piece of wire allows me to easily put the cells in an equalising tray. I know what you mean, pointing towards the chassis would make sense but mine has never fouled the belt.
Rory

Your probably right about the longer wire.
I use 40MHz AM :( so I'm stuck with my "too big" receiver. Think that I will change to FM this summer.
Looking forward so see some great pics.
Bjarup